decibel hearing level (dB HL)

Decibel Hearing Level (dB HL) is a measurement used to express the softest sounds a person can hear across different pitches or frequencies. It standardizes hearing sensitivity, with 0 dB HL representing the quietest sound typical for a person with normal hearing. When sound levels are higher than 0 dB HL, it indicates the sound is louder than what normal hearing detects; lower levels would suggest better-than-average hearing. This scale helps audiologists assess hearing ability accurately and track changes over time or after treatment.